If you are caring for a loved one living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia, every day can seem longer than the next. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, the number of Americans living with the disease is growing fast. More than 6 million Americans over the age of 65 are living with Alzheimer’s. To care for these individuals, specially trained staff at memory care retirement homes support the unique needs of these individuals.
Staff duties at memory care retirement homes
Staff at memory care retirement homes receive specialized training to recognize the symptoms of dementia and interact with seniors living with the disease.
Establishing routines
Residents at memory care retirement homes thrive with daily routines. Patterns help seniors living with dementia know what to expect and as a result, are more likely to feel confident. Memory support co-workers get to know each resident and working together, establish a routine for each individual.
Delivering personal care services
As part of the routine, dementia care services team members at memory care retirement homes support seniors by assisting with meal times, bathing, grooming and providing frequent bathroom trips to avoid accidents.
Navigating communication challenges
Memory support co-workers at memory care retirement homes are skilled professionals trained to recognize symptoms of dementia, including agitation and outburst. At Country Meadows, dementia care services co-workers are trained in the Validation Method-a communication technique that employs empathetic listening with effective questions, joining the person with dementia in his/her reality to help express concerns and emotions. This builds trust, reduces anxiety and restores dignity.
Completing memory exercises to maintain current level of abilities
Memory care retirement homes staff lead activities to exercise the brain as well as the body. At Country Meadows, co-workers at our senior communities lead activities and projects to engage residents such as brain games, active tasks, purposeful service, creative corner and musical events. Personal care home programs are tailored specifically to help residents with dementia find an outlet for expression and their emotions leading to a greater life enjoyment.
Safety measures at memory care retirement homes
Confusion and disorientation are hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Affected seniors who remain mobile may be at risk for wandering, which can be extremely dangerous as seniors could become lost or injured.
Senior communities offering memory care retirement homes have secured areas to protect residents prone to wandering. Personal care staff lead structured activities to distract residents from wandering, reducing agitation and offering reassuring words.
For seniors living in private homes, it is important for caregivers to be very aware of the individual’s abilities. For example, the older adult may turn on the oven and forget to turn it off risking a fire.
The Longest Day
The summer solstice is the longest day of the year, the first day of summer and the official kickoff for warm-weather fun in the northern hemisphere.
Every year the Alzheimer’s Association observes The Longest Day as it sheds light on the darkness of living with Alzheimer’s disease. Many memory care retirement homes like
Country Meadows plan special events to mark The Longest Day and raise money for Alzheimer’s research.
Celebrating co-workers
June is Dementia Care Professionals Month. We honor and celebrate our memory support co-workers in assisted living and personal care and thank them for the incredibly hard work they do to support residents living with Alzheimer’s and related dementia. Not everyone can do this work, and we are grateful for these angels.
Resource
There are so many aspects to caring for a loved one with dementia. Download Country Meadows guide on understanding dementia and its effects on your loved one and family.
Country Meadows offers both secured and non-secured memory support services at its nine locations in Pennsylvania and one campus in Frederick, Maryland. Country Meadows offers a variety of additional programs including independent and assisted living, to personal care and restorative care. If you would like more information about how we can support you or a loved one, please contact us today. Our co-workers can answer questions and provide information on our services.
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